License-tag holder



J. A. JOHNSON LICENSE TAG HOLDER Filed Dec. 29. 1922 sept. 18, 1923.

Patented Sept. 18, 1923.

UNITED YS'I'il-iiTES .PATENT QFFICELv JOHN A. JOHNSON, or MANKATO, MINNESOTA'.

Y LICENSE-TAG AYI-IOLDER.

i i Application filed December 29,1922. i Serial No. 609.667.

A Mankato, in the county of Blue Earth and 4State of Minnesota, have invented a new and useful License-Tag Holder, 0f which the following is a. specification. This invention relates to display devices and more particularly a combined sup-port and display device'especially designed for use in connection with motor vehicle license plates.

The primary object of the invention is to provide novel means for supporting and illuminating the designating characters of the plate. i

Y Another object of the inventionl is to provide a device of this character wherein aY plate may be readily and easily secured in position against rattling.

Y iVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as At-he description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view disclosing a display device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a front eleyational view thereof, the license plate being remove-d.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through the display device.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view disclosing the means for securing the removable upper bar of the device.

Figure 5 is a fragmental detail view disclosing one end of the locking bar.

Referring tothe drawing in detail, the reference character 5 designates'the body portion of the device whichV is box-like in formation, the same being relatively Vlong and of a size to accommodate the license plate associated therewith.

This body portion is formed preferably of sheetV metal and is constructed with a groove 6 extending along the lower edge of the front wallof the body. Lateral grooves i ,7 are disposed vertically and arranged along the side edges at the for-ward portion of the A body.

i At the upper end of the body isy an upj wardly extended flange 8 arranged along the upper edge 'of the body-and cooperating with the walls of the grooves to holdV the Vlicense plate indicated at 9, in position.

The license plate 9 is formed preferably of translucent material, the same being supplied with suitable indicating numbers and characters necessary for the use of the same as a motor vehicle license tag, so that the light rays from the illuminating means to be hereinafter more fully described, may be projected through the translucent mate rial to cause the indicating members and characters to beV clearly visible in the dark.

Positioned in t-he groove at one of the edges of the forward portion of the body is a spring arm l0 which hasy onel end thereof secured to a wall of the groove as by means of the bolt l1, finger 12 being carried by the arm 10 to extend through the opening 18 to pass through the opening 1-1 formed in one end of the movable locking bar 15.

This movable locking bar is inverted U- shaped in cross-section and supports the packing 16 which may be in the form of rubber or other suitable moisture-proof material, so that when the locking bar is positioned as shown by Figure 3 of the drawing, the member 9 will not only be held against movement, but the interior of the body portion will be protected against foreign matter entering the same.

Extending laterally from the body portion at one end thereof is a pin 17 which pin is designed to extend into an opening formed at one end of the locking bar 15 to secure that end of the locking bar against movement. A guard indicated at 18 is secured within the groove adjacent to the arm l0 toy engage one end of Vthe member 9 and hold the same in Spacedrelation with the arm 10 to permit the arm 10 and finger carried thereby` lto move inwardly out of engagement with the wall of the opening of the bar 15 when it is desired to position the bar or remove it.

Suitable illuminating means such as the electric lamps 18 may be positioned within the body 5, the lamps being in circuit with la suitable source of electric supply and controlled bv a suitable switch not shown.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to this construction, a translucent license plate may be readily and easily secured in position at the forward portion of the body,

box-like body portion having grooves formed at the 'forward portion thereof, a translucent plate adapted to be positioned 'in the grooves, f

a locking bar having an openingin one end and adapted to be positioned' over the ripper edge ot' the plate to lock the plate to the Y body portion, a pin carried by the body portion and adapted to extend into the opening Y at the end ofthe-locking bar, :and resilient Ameans at the opposite end of the locking bar for securing the locking bar against movenient.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have heretoallixed my Signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN A. JOHNSON. VVitnesses: y f

Jos. H. Trino, MARTHA. H. VOGEL. 

